E-book devices
From MobileRead
(Redirected from EBook reader)
This page serves as an introduction to dedicated eBook readers or devices. These are turnkey products that include all of the eBook Reading programs you need. For software that can be used on general purpose mobile devices to make them function as an eBook reader see eBook software. Also note the page on PDA devices that can make good eBook Readers.
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[edit] Current eBook Reader devices that use E Ink's technology
- Sony Reader PRS-700: Released to market 4th quarter of 2008, uses touchscreen.
- Sony Reader PRS-505: Released to market in October 2, 2007
- Sony Reader PRS-600: Released to market in August 25, 2009
- Sony Reader PRS-300: Released to market in August 25, 2009
- Bookeen Cybook Gen3: Released for sale at the end of October 2007.
- Bookeen Cybook Opus: Released for sale June 2009.
- IRex Digital Reader: is the largest electronic ink reader to date. It includes a touch screen.
- IRex iLiad: is the 2nd largest electronic ink reader to date. It includes a touch screen.
- The Jinke/Hanlin: Makes several models for direct sale and via OEM's. Some have a second screen area for input.
- Hanlin V3: 6" device available from many OEMs including Astak EZ Reader, ECO Reader, LBook V3 and Bebook.
- Hanlin V5: 5" device available from several OEMs including the EZ Reader Pocket PRO, LBook V5 and the Bebook mini.
- Amazon Kindle 2: The 2nd generation Kindle is available from their web site. Released to Market February 24, 2009. Rereleased October 19 as an International version with GSM network support.
- Amazon Kindle DX: The Kindle DX is a 9.7" screen display device. It is available from their web site (not sold outside of the USA). Released for orders May 7, 2009
- Ganaxa GeR2: Released September 2007, for Les Echos daily newspaper.
- Soribook: Released to Korean domestic pre-orders only in May 2008.
- Hanvon N516 - A Chinese reader that uses a 5" electronic ink screen with the same number of pixels as the current 6" screens which increases ppi to 200.
- Foxit eSlick: - 6" device that features PDF reading using Foxit Reader.
- COOL-ER: eReader (6 inch, 4 shades of gray) by Interead (June 2009)
- Ditto Book : - 6" device that features PDF reading
- Nook: - 6" E INK device with LCD search screen from Barnes and Noble. (Nov 2009)
[edit] Current eBook Readers that do not use electronic ink
- EBookwise-1150: available for some years now (also under its earlier name, the Gemstar GEB-1150). It has a backlit greyscale LCD with 320x480 pixel resolution, not electronic ink, and is significantly cheaper (around $100). It has a full touchscreen so you can make notes.
- Dr. Yi M218: released in 2007 and only available in China. It has a 5" 480 X 640 greyscale LCD.
- JetBook released in 2008 using a reflective LCD display. It has a 5" 480 X 640 greyscale LCD.
[edit] Future Devices
Devices that are still in the Prototype Phase.
- Fujitsu 4096 Color E-Paper
- Fujitsu FLEPia Color - shipping Q2 2009
- 9.7" Electronic ink devices from Astak, Hanlin, and Netronix.
- QUE™ by Plastic Logic: 10.5" Touch screen eReader – premiere at CES Las Vegas, Jan. 7, 2010.
- Txtr reader shipping 15.12.2009
- Readius: Projected release date uncertain due to funding issues. Uses a rollup electronic ink display.
- EnTourage eDGe: A dual screen device with an E Ink screen or one side and a Netbook on the other.
- Alex: A dual screen device with a user interface/browsing LCD screen just below the E Ink screen.
[edit] eBook Reader devices that are no longer available new
- Amazon Kindle: The original Kindle has been replaced and no longer available from their web site (not sold outside of the USA). Released to Market November 19, 2007.
- Franklin eBookMan: Better known for electronic dictionaries, Franklin produced a few different models of the eBookMan reader. It uses a backlit (on some models) greyscale LCD screen. These readers are now available from Ectaco.com. The EBM-911 sells for $150. The EBM-900 is $80.
- Rocket eBook: The Rocket eBook from Nuvomedia uses a black-and-white, 320 x 480 pixels, LCD touch screen. It had support for Allegra, an input method similar to Palm’s Graffiti.
- REB 1100: The REB 1100 from RCA under contract from Gemstar uses a black-and-white, 320 x 480 pixels, LCD touch screen. It had support for Allegra, an input method similar to Palm’s Graffiti.
- REB 1200: The REB 1200 from RCA and the GEB 2150 from Gemstar are no longer being made but eBook Technologies (ETI) is still selling them to Enterprise users only. Uses a backlit 15-bit (32,738) color LCD touch screen and uses a similar GUI to that of the eBookwise-1150.
- Softbook Reader:: This large screen greyscale eBook reader was one of the very first dedicated readers ever built. It had a built in Modem and could retrieve books directly via the modem. Predecessor of REB 1200.
- Sony Librie: The first commercial device to use E Ink's technology, and original Sony e-book reader, it was sold only in Japan.
- Sony PRS-500: Released in 2006 and replaced by the PRS-505 in 2007.
- Hanvon N510 - Older Chinese reader that used a 5" electronic ink screen with the same number of pixels as the current 6" screens which increases ppi to 200.
[edit] For more information
- Wikipedia overview of e-book devices
- Sony_vs_Cybook - An attempt to answer a common FAQ
- Where to Buy eBook Readers - An easy to use listing of which devices are available in which region and where to buy them
- Ebook Readers Org - a listing and info.
